Next May 18th the Tour of Italy will face the Gubbio-Siena, ninth stage. This will be the Gino Bartali Stage. The immense, the timeless, as he was called, has had a stage dedicated to him since 2000. This year marks the 25th anniversary of his passing, which occurred on May 5th of that year.
Bartali was one of the giants of cycling. A legend in the flesh. Starting from this stage, we wanted to talk about him with his niece Gioia, To remember the man, the grandfather, as well as the champion. And to know what this very special commemoration means to her.
Gioia, there's so much to tell about your grandfather. Let's start by talking about the Bartali Stage of the Giro…
I remember a few years ago, Vittorio Adorni, whom I already knew and who was a wonderful person, awarded the Bartali stage prize. I texted him a joke, as if to say: you're here, not me! I had the privilege of awarding the Bartali stage in 2018, in Jerusalem. When the Giro started in Israel, there were great honors for my grandfather. It was a tremendous emotion, also because of the context.
Let us remember that Gino was named Righteous Among the Nations for his commitment during the Second World War…
It was a privilege for me, and I hope that there will soon be the opportunity to preside over this award ceremony again. Carrying on the memory and remembrance of my grandfather isn't my job. It's something I do for passion. that binds me to him.
How did the idea for the Bartali Stage come about?
As they say, we found out about it from the newspapers. There was no official communication to the family, but I think it's still beautiful.
This year, the Bartali stage is in Tuscany, as has often been the case. Is there a criterion for choosing it, or does it just depend on geography?
Honestly, I don't know the dynamics with which the Bartali stage is established, but there is no doubt that a stop in Tuscany means celebrating his love for his land. Grandpa Gino was in love with Florence. He even had a house in Siena. I can't imagine Bartali stopping off in Piedmont at Coppi's house! I remember an interview in which he said: "I am and feel Italian, so I prefer to pay more taxes, but I want to stay here." Florence was his world, his history, his origins.
You mentioned Florence, where last year's Tour de France started. We spoke with Prudhomme, and he seemed impressed by Bartali. Did the French celebrate him more than we did?
It certainly went very well as far as the grandfather figure is concerned, but a little less so in terms of engagement. I did, however, give a speech in Piazzale Michelangelo where I said that the grandfather still has a lot to give. It's been 25 years since his passing, but his memory continues to grow. First he was my father Andrea, the firstborn son, to carry it forward…
Clear…
And over time, this memory has grown. People tell me, "I have a photo of your grandfather." "I have Bartali's autograph." People send me posters... The passing down continues, from generation to generation. A memory that had a beginning, but I see no end. They also often talk to me about the photo of the water bottle exchange.
And what does she answer?
That there was enormous respect and a great friendship between the two, even off the bike. Grandpa used to say that sport without solidarity was useless. That photo shows them with the water bottle in their hands, but he told me that they had exchanged it many times. It didn't matter who gave it to whom. She said Fausto was one of the most honest people. Grandpa really resented rudeness, meanness... even that written in the newspapers. He read everything. When he left for the '48 Tour the newspaper headlines read: Gino the old man.
And then he won that Tour…
He endured certain things, and as a true Tuscan, he felt bad about it. Regarding Coppi, it must also be said that the press greatly exaggerated that rivalry. It needed to be kept alive, especially with two such great men. The good news is that we, his grandchildren and children, have also become friends. I have a wonderful relationship with Faustino and Marina Coppi, and also with Girardengo's great-niece, Michela.
When did you realize as a child that you had such an important grandfather? Is there a specific moment?
I grew up aware of her character. I saw it firsthand. Maybe he would go to a restaurant and people would say hello, shake his hand, or the whole place would stand up to applaud him. These things are quite impressive for a young girl. And I was a little embarrassed!
And now he continues to carry on his memory…
When I attend events dedicated to my grandfather, I speak as a grandson. I never bring a written text. They know Gino Bartali the rider. I bring the man, the grandfather. I tell of my affection.
Have you ever had him tell you about a race?
No, but by chance, in the early '90s I went to visit him and my father who were following the Giro d'Italia. There was a stage from Porto Sant'Elpidio to Sulmona, and I found myself in the car with my grandfather, riding it. People were waving at him everywhere. He said to me, "Look, I'll show you how I used to do the downhill trajectories." That day he also told me something else: "They will talk about me more when I'm dead than when I'm alive."
And she?
I laughed, not quite understanding. I think he was aware of having done good, and I'm clearly referring to the war period. He did it for nothing in return, risking his life to save people he didn't know. He was a fervent Catholic, a true Christian. Devoted to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. He was a Carmelite tertiary. His plan was to get to heaven. He was buried wearing only the cloak of the Carmelite Tertiaries, without pockets. As if to say that we cannot live only to enrich ourselves, to accumulate.
Would your grandfather have liked the cycling of today? There are riders who achieve feats of yesteryear...
I don't know, he experienced a completely different cycling world. I don't think he would have seen himself in the current one. It was a different world: there were people who cycled 100 kilometers just to get to the race. But I know that he gave advice to many riders, even to ashlar e Chiappucci. But I repeat: it was a different kind of cycling. Even when he was training, my grandfather would write to my grandmother, Adriana, his great love.
What stories…
About 200 letters, wonderful. My grandmother carefully preserved them. He wrote them when he was away competing or training. Through those letters, I learned a side of my grandfather I hadn't known: a romantic Gino, a man of faith. He even wrote a letter to Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa to tell him he was retiring from running. In that letter he said that the bicycle was what brought him closest to prayer. I always think of my grandfather as a small farmer who sowed. And today we are reaping his rewards.
And that infinite memory, right?
Exactly!
